-
Here are your options to deal with debt
Debt Management Plan (DMP) Consumer Proposal Bankruptcy What’s the difference? A DMP is a voluntary agreement with some or all of your creditors that often includes interest relief and the payment of your debts over time. A consumer proposal is a legal process designed to relieve honest but unfortunate debtors of their debts. A proposal is an offer to your creditors to pay all or some of what you owe them over a specific period of time. If the proposal is accepted, and once all the terms of the proposal are met, you are legally released from the debts included in the proposal. Bankruptcy is a legal process designed…
-
CERB Overpayments – Discharge with bankruptcy or consumer proposal
The following is a Guidance to Licensed Insolvency Trustees dated March 25th 2022 from the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy’s website: The Government of Canada is beginning to recover Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) where it has been determined that it was paid erroneously or was an overpayment. The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB) is confirming to Licensed Insolvency Trustees (LIT) that erroneous or overpayment of CERB are provable claims in bankruptcy. Erroneous or overpayment of CERB is a releasable debt in the event of an insolvency given that it is to be treated as a debt owed to the Crown pursuant to subsection 12(2) of the…
-
Transferring a Home Before Bankruptcy
A reader asks: My father fell critically ill earlier this year. As a result, he is unable to pay his credit cards as he is not working. The bills are very large. He has no financial assets other than his a commercial property (owned outright). What options does he have? In relation, can the property be sold to my brother and/or proceeds transferred to him (inheritance), then my father proceed to file bankruptcy without repercussions? Here is a breakdown of his finances: $1.2m – commercial property – owned outright Approx 60-80k in credit card debt only Zero income stream from any source, sadly. My father is not a future planner.…
-
Replacing your Licensed Insolvency Trustee
So you’ve filed your personal bankruptcy or consumer proposal with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee but for whatever reason, you haven’t been happy with the service you’ve received. Is it possible to replace your Trustee? This will depend on the type of engagement you’re currently undergoing. CONSUMER PROPOSAL Your proposal hasn’t yet been approved If you’ve filed a consumer proposal and it’s been deemed approved by your creditors and the bankruptcy court (i.e., it’s been more than 60 days since the day your proposal was filed and no meeting of creditors has been called), then you’re stuck with your Trustee. However, if your consumer proposal has not yet been deemed approved…
-
Bankruptcy and Gambling Debt
Gambling has become a major problem in our society. I have come across many individuals who became heavily indebted because of compulsive gambling. Filing for personal bankruptcy is an option that naturally comes to mind if someone finds herself with a lot of gambling debt. However, there are a few things one should be made aware of: Filing personal bankruptcy does NOT automatically get rid of your debts. Filing bankruptcy only protects you from legal proceedings by your creditors (the legal term is “stay of proceedings”). To get rid of your debts, you must obtain your discharge from bankruptcy. For a first time bankrupt, a discharge will generally happen automatically…
You May Also Like
Bankruptcy and surplus income (Video)
-
Bankruptcy After Divorce
Introduction Divorce or marital breakdown is one of the most common causes of financial hardship, which often leads to a spouse filing for bankruptcy. The effect of family support obligations, the division of family assets, and the loss of income can have a devastating effect on both parties going through a separation. As these situations are becoming more common, we thought it would be worthwhile to provide an overview of this topic. This article will be divided into two sections: Matrimonial Property and Family Support Obligations. For ease in reviewing the issues at hand, we shall refer to these two parties as “husband” and “wife” and assume that: they are…
You May Also Like
Bankruptcy and surplus income (Video)
-
Creditor Proofing Tips for Business Owners
The failure of a prospective business owner to employ creditor proofing techniques before starting a business is a frequent cause of personal financial difficulties due to the failure of a business and the attendant business-related liabilities personally owed by the company owner. These individuals must often file for personal bankruptcy or make a consumer proposal to their creditors as result of business-related debts. Debtors completing their bankruptcy/ proposal often wish to start up another business sometime in the near future. The expected question then arises: how can they creditor-proof themselves in the event that their new business fails? Here are some ideas: Creditor proofing techniques 1. Consider incorporating the business.…
-
When you owe taxes to the Canada Revenue Agency
Yes, you owe income tax debt to the Taxman: sometimes it feel like you’re working for no one but him; especially if you are a high income earner. Therefore, it’s no surprise that income tax payers: Find ways to shelter their income. For many self-employed individuals, particularly some professionals, they do this by investing in tax shelters. However, when one’s tax shelters get disallowed by Canada Revenue Agency and a reassessment is issued, what can be done if the tax bill can’t be paid? Fail to remit income tax installments altogether, and end up with significant penalties and interest. When the assessment or reassessment comes in, some tax debtors are…
